Tom Brady sits out practice to rest shoulder

One was little-used linebacker Mike Rivera, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. The other was franchise quarterback Tom Brady due to a right shoulder that is presumably tired after attempting a career-high 65 passes in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

“It was a physical game, so yeah, I think everyone is a little sore from that game,” Brady said prior to practice.

There seems little doubt Brady will start Sunday when the Patriots face the Jaguars in Jacksonville. The status of two other stars, one for each team, remains in doubt, though.

Tight end Rob Gronkowski returned to practice Friday for the first time since fracturing his left forearm in a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 18. He was back out there Wednesday, again as a limited participant, which indicates he didn’t have a setback.

“He’s a great teammate,” Brady said. “He’s a lot of fun to be around, and his attitude and his enthusiasm every day is great for our team. Hopefully, he gets back out there soon.”

Gronkowski was one of 18 Patriots who were limited at practice. That includes starting cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, who injured his knee against the 49ers after already dealing with a bum hamstring.

The Jaguars held six players out of practice, including four starters — running back Maurice Jones-Drew (foot), safety Dwight Lowery (foot), center Brad Meester (foot) and linebacker Paul Posluszny (groin).

Jones-Drew has missed the last eight games, but was expected to do some running Wednesday as he takes another step toward returning. But coach Mike Mularkey doesn’t expect Jones-Drew to practice today and admitted if that’s the case, “it would be very difficult” for him to play against the Patriots.

Mincey back at end
The Patriots drafted Jeremy Mincey in the sixth round (191st overall) in 2006 with the intention of turning the University of Florida defensive end into an outside linebacker. The plan failed, and Mincey was released.

After spending most of his rookie season on the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad, he was signed by the Jaguars late in the year. He’s now in his fifth full season in Jacksonville, the last two of which he has been a starter — at defensive end.

“I think he’s in the right spot,” coach Bill Belichick said. “We tried to play him at outside linebacker and that probably wasn’t the best thing for him. He got with a team that is playing him pretty much the same way he played in college.”

Mincey has started all 14 games this season, 10 at left end and four at right end. He has 37 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 3 passes defensed.

“Jeremy is a strong player, he’s physical, he has a lot of passion for the game,” Belichick said. “He plays hard on every play. He’s a strong player for 265; he plays bigger than that. He has a good motor, he’s tough. He’s had a really good career. He’s a good kid, he works hard, football is really important to him. He’s done well, he really has.”

Faith in Ridley strong
Stevan Ridley was benched in the third quarter against the 49ers last Sunday after fumbling for the fourth time this season. He played one offensive snap the rest of the game.

While the coaching staff lost faith — temporarily, one would assume — in the second-year running back, he still has the backing of a guy whose opinion matters a great deal around here.

“I have confidence in everybody,” Brady said. “If you’re on this roster, everyone has confidence in you. If you’re out there playing on the field, it means the coach has a lot of confidence in you.”

That, of course, is the issue because Ridley wasn’t on the field after his giveaway.

“I love every guy that I play with,” Brady went on to say. “Those guys (running backs) give everything they’ve got to run hard, to protect, to do what we ask them to do, and Stevan’s done a great job this year.”

Extra Points
Jaguars starting quarterback Chad Henne, who spent his first four seasons in Miami before moving upstate to Jacksonville this year, is 1-4 all-time against the Patriots with six touchdowns and six interceptions. … Injuries have crippled the Jaguars, with 18 players landing on season-ending injured reserve. The Patriots have 11 players on IR.